Liability of multimodal transport operator

Multimodal transport is a carriage in which multimodal transport operator, who assumes the responsibility of performing the carriage under the multimodal transport contract, undertakes to perform the carriage of goods by at least two modes of transport from one place to another place designated for delivery. Widespread use of containers today allows international transport of goods to be in the form of door-to-door transport using more than one mode of transport. Thus, multimodal transport becomes more widespread all over the world. Explaining this mode of transport, which is frequently used in the transport industry, from the legal perspective is of high importance. Hence, in this study, the definition and elements of multimodal transport are studied. The similarities and differences of this mode of transport with other modes of transport are evaluated. Considering different conventions regulating each mode of transport, national transport legislations and regulations aimed at setting forth uniform provisions, it is clearly difficult to determine rules that are applicable for the multimodal transport contract. Major regulations to uniform the liability in multimodal carriages are the 1975 and 1992 International Chamber of Commerce Rules, the 1980 Multimodal Transport Convention (MTC) and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea (Rotterdam Rules-RT), which was open for signature in 2009. There are also regional regulations inspired by these instruments. In addition, a number of countries enact laws regulating multimodal transport, as multimodal transport may be performed within national boundaries, and there are no uniform rules regulating it. In Turkish law, certain rules on multimodal transport in the Turkish Commercial Law (TTK) No.6102 under the heading of 'Carriage by Various Modes of Transport (Multimodal Transport)' were introduced. The MTO's contractual liability for loss of or damage to goods or delay in delivery is subject to different rules depending on whether the place of loss can be located. If the place of loss is located, and the leg of transport in which the loss occurs is proved by any party of the multimodal transport contract, as the transport involves more than one mode of transport, rules specifically regulating that mode of transport, in particular unimodal conventions, which duly entered into effect, individually governing each mode of transport such as sea, air, road, rail and inland waterway transports and having its own liability regime, will be applicable. If the mode of transport in which the loss occurs cannot be ascertained, TTK provisions, which we may call general rules, will be applicable. In the present study, we analyse the liability of MTO within the framework of relevant conventions and TTK and seek to reveal applicable provisions. Keywords: Multimodal Transport, Multimodal Transport Contract Multimodal Transport Operator, Liability of Multimodal Transport Operator